Looking ahead to next year.....

[HAM ELLIOT]

Where do we begin the season ranked at?  Do you think we deserve a preseason top 20 ranking?

[jimmiewkersh]

We do look good, but not sure where we will fall in the SEC West.  We could be ranked in the top 20 and still be picked 5th in the West.  We are in a tough Division.

[Abominable Hillbilly]

Ten returning starters on O

Eight on D

I would say we should be around 10-15

[rude1]

Defensively I think we take a step backwards with the key losses we are losing off the defense, i just hope that offensively there's enough growth to compensate for the defense stepping back some.

[passinghog]

Really need Philon to stay another year

[HAM ELLIOT]

Ten returning starters on O

Eight on D

I would say we should be around 10-15

This is what I was thinking!

[Sir Oinksalot]

Where do we begin the season ranked at?  Do you think we deserve a preseason top 20 ranking?

" they"  will be very kind to us, now that we are legit...

[WBC Hog]

Really need Philon to stay another year

[Razor6]

Operation Re-Recruit Philon, Commence!

[TheRazorbackGuy]

We do look good, but not sure where we will fall in the SEC West.  We could be ranked in the top 20 and still be picked 5th in the West.  We are in a tough Division.

[Rzbakfromwaybak]

Preseason rankings really mean nothing, but they will be out there.

I would guess we will probably be in the top 25, in most of them.

[Tim Harris]

I'm guessing around 24

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Defensively I think we take a step backwards with the key losses we are losing off the defense, i just hope that offensively there's enough growth to compensate for the defense stepping back some.

Bielema seems to think that we will be better on defense with who we have stepping up, despite our losses. At least, that is what he said in his presser.

[HF#1]

Defensively I think we take a step backwards with the key losses we are losing off the defense, i just hope that offensively there's enough growth to compensate for the defense stepping back some.

I think Taiwan Johnson will fill some voids left by Philon, should Philon move on.  He's not quite on Philon's level yet, but he does make plays when he is in the game.  We have some depth on the D-line.  For me, it's the least concerning position when it comes to quality depth. 

[LRRandy]

Ten returning starters on O

Eight on D

I would say we should be around 10-15

that seems like a reach. Definately top 25. Not quite top 10-15.

[havok]

Defensively I think we take a step backwards with the key losses we are losing off the defense, i just hope that offensively there's enough growth to compensate for the defense stepping back some.

At least we start the season with a Tune up game..as opposed to playing an away game against a team ranked in top 5.   I think that bodes well for identifying players who are needing to fill the gaping huge holes left by Flowers & Spaight graduating.. (Philon I hope returns..he is going to be the glue holding the defense and will probably have the big letter "C" beside his name as Team Captain).

[Razorfox]

Personally I care more about how good we will actually be (versus rankings) because the rankings will work out in the end.  I think looking ahead to next year, it's hard not to be fairly excited based on trajectory at the end of this year, new players being developed and coming up, and recruiting currently happening.  Almost every position should be as good or better:


QB - At worst, we get our current starter back with another year of experience.  We have even more depth and competition to make the whole group better.  Better overall.

RB - At worst, we get our current top 2 back with another year of experience.  Hopefully more depth will make the unit even better.  Better overall.

FB - Unsure about this one since we lose Arinze.  Do we have anyone else waiting in the wings?  Unknown.

OL - We lose one senior, but the line as a whole should get better due to experience and depth.  Better overall. 

TE - At least even (due to losing Derby), but most likely we'll be slightly better just due to overall depth.  Draw.

WR - Should be a little better with added experience, depth, and a talent infusion.  Better overall. 

DT - If Philon comes back, we'll be better due to experience and depth.  If not, it'll be about even probably.  Better overall. 

DE - Our top end capability will be down due to losing Flowers, but we may have better overall depth.  Draw. 

LB - This may be the only position on the team (outside of a specialist) that we take a step back in.  We just have to hope that CBB's recruits and superior coaching fill the gap.  Worse overall. 

CB - We lose one pretty good player in Mitchel, but otherwise increased depth and experience.  Better overall. 

S - What we lose in experience, we should make up for in talent.  Draw. 

K - Should be an upgrade. 

P - Losing Irwin-Hill will hurt.  Worse overall. 


So, by my count, we should be better or even in every position except LB and P.   

[Hoggie17]

Really need Philon to stay another year

CBB knows that, you note that one of the first players he hugged after the game, Philon. Philon will be back next year!

[JayBell]

The defense loses its leaders, but 80% of the two-deep depth chart returns.  Expect guys like (hopefully) Philon, Ellis and Gaines to take on bigger leadership roles next season.

The offense returns everybody except Wilson, Derby, Arinze and Cook, and none of those were essential to what Arkansas did.  Kirkland will likely replace Cook at RT with one of the younger guys stepping in at RG.

Any team that brings back 95% of its offensive production and 70% on defense is primed for success, even in the toughest division in the history of sports.

[The_Iceman]

The defense loses its leaders, but 80% of the two-deep depth chart returns.  Expect guys like (hopefully) Philon, Ellis and Gaines to take on bigger leadership roles next season.

The offense returns everybody except Wilson, Derby, Arinze and Cook, and none of those were essential to what Arkansas did.  Kirkland will likely replace Cook at RT with one of the younger guys stepping in at RG.

Any team that brings back 95% of its offensive production and 70% on defense is primed for success, even in the toughest division in the history of sports.

I think Brian Wallace has been groomed to take over for Cook.

[JayBell]

The SEC West is still going to be tough, but Ole Miss, Mississippi State and A&M will likely be down.  Arkansas should have beaten MSU and TAMU this year even with their fourth quarter struggles.  Arkansas gets Auburn in Fayetteville, and the Tigers do not look like what people were hoping for from Malzahn.  I expect Alabama and LSU to still be good.  It just sucks that Arkansas has to go to both of them in the same season, like usual.

[lahawg1]

We have 3 "cupcakes" before we get into the conference schedule next year. By game 4 (with daily/weekely improvements) we should be playing very well by then. By game 3 this year we were playing very well.

[redleg]

1. Arkansas will lose 2 starters on offense: Brey Cook and Patrick Arinze.
2. Arkansas will lose 4 starters on defense: Trey Flowers, Martrell Spaight, Braylon Mitchell, Alan Turner, and part-time starter Carroll Washington.
3. Philon will probably come back for one more season.
4. Arkansas may sneak into the pre-season Top 25, but don't be surprised if they are just outside of the rankings. But.....they won't be outside for long!
5. The Hogs should win all four non-conference games.
6. Minimum, I see the Hogs finishing 2015 at 9-3, and playing in a New Year's Day bowl game.
7. At best, IF things fall Arkansas' way in some key big-time matchups, they could finish 11-1 and be the surprise team of 2015!

#6 is more likely to happen, and Razorback fans should temper their expectations. But there is no doubt what-so-ever that Bielema has this team headed in the right direction, and that he is doing it the right way...building talent and depth on both Lines, then surrounding them with quality depth at the skill positions and back 7 on defense.

Oh, almost forgot...8. Cole Hedlund will be the placekicker in 2015, and he will be excellent!

[FATHAWG08]

I think Brian Wallace has been groomed to take over for Cook.

I agree, I saw Wallace walking across the field after the game. He Looks like a SEC  football player! With Wallace & Ragnow.There is going to be some competition this spring & fall for OLine playing time.

[rude1]

Bielema seems to think that we will be better on defense with who we have stepping up, despite our losses. At least, that is what he said in his presser.

Would you expect him to say we aren't going to be as good? Not saying it's coach speak because with CBB I have come to believe he says the things he believes in, but it's his personality to always believe it's going to get better. With that said, you don't lose your best linebacker and leading tackler, your best D-Lineman, and possibly your second best D-Lineman, and get better. I just don't see how you get better with those losses. Hope he is right though and we have some young players develop over the spring to minimize those losses.

[redleg]

Just saw this......
http://arkansas.247sports.com/Bolt/Arkansas-ranked-in-early-Top-25-in-2015-by-Athlon-34208205?utm_medium=thc_2&utm_campaign=thc&utm_source=thc_default

Nice! 

[Cresthog]

I really don't think the defense falls back as much. We have talent redshirting and some guys will emerge that no one knows about.

Obviously keeping Philon would be huge but we've got some big mean guys waiting in the ranks. Jackson and Johnson are going to be solid. 

[lahawg1]

1. Arkansas will lose 2 starters on offense: Brey Cook and Patrick Arinze.
2. Arkansas will lose 4 starters on defense: Trey Flowers, Martrell Spaight, Braylon Mitchell, Alan Turner, and part-time starter Carroll Washington.
3. Philon will probably come back for one more season.
4. Arkansas may sneak into the pre-season Top 25, but don't be surprised if they are just outside of the rankings. But.....they won't be outside for long!
5. The Hogs should win all four non-conference games.
6. Minimum, I see the Hogs finishing 2015 at 9-3, and playing in a New Year's Day bowl game.
7. At best, IF things fall Arkansas' way in some key big-time matchups, they could finish 11-1 and be the surprise team of 2015!

#6 is more likely to happen, and Razorback fans should temper their expectations. But there is no doubt what-so-ever that Bielema has this team headed in the right direction, and that he is doing it the right way...building talent and depth on both Lines, then surrounding them with quality depth at the skill positions and back 7 on defense.

Oh, almost forgot...8. Cole Hedlund will be the placekicker in 2015, and he will be excellent!

We also lose Tevin Mitchell and (if doesn't work his way back) Rohan Gaines

[The_Iceman]

We also lose Tevin Mitchell and (if doesn't work his way back) Rohan Gaines

We look to be doing ok at both of those positions going into next year. However, we do need to build some depth there.

[bigdaddyhawg]

Would you expect him to say we aren't going to be as good? Not saying it's coach speak because with CBB I have come to believe he says the things he believes in, but it's his personality to always believe it's going to get better. With that said, you don't lose your best linebacker and leading tackler, your best D-Lineman, and possibly your second best D-Lineman, and get better. I just don't see how you get better with those losses. Hope he is right though and we have some young players develop over the spring to minimize those losses.

Understand your point, but if CBB believes the D will be better, there's a reason for it, he's not just being optimistic.

[Piggage]

We have 3 "cupcakes" before we get into the conference schedule next year. By game 4 (with daily/weekely improvements) we should be playing very well by then. By game 3 this year we were playing very well.

That game 4 is another crack at A&M in Arlington. You can bet they'll have that date circled on the calendar.

[OldCoot]

For the first time since I can remember, people are talking about our defense in a good way.  To me, that was the biggest surprise of this season.  I dont know if that was from the new DC, or just good seasoning in the weight room.

The old mantra is "defense wins championships", and we have a defense.

I am officially sold on this coach and his ability to bring expert assistants in with him.  I also hope we keep Shannon.

[woodhog14]

The SEC West is still going to be tough, but Ole Miss, Mississippi State and A&M will likely be down.  Arkansas should have beaten MSU and TAMU this year even with their fourth quarter struggles.  Arkansas gets Auburn in Fayetteville, and the Tigers do not look like what people were hoping for from Malzahn.  I expect Alabama and LSU to still be good.  It just sucks that Arkansas has to go to both of them in the same season, like usual.

I agree with you on Ole Miss and State taking a step back, but I think A&M will be about the same or a tad better. They have found a QB in Allen.

[Mark_Freeman]

I agree with you on Ole Miss and State taking a step back, but I think A&M will be about the same or a tad better. They have found a QB in Allen.

I know he put up numbers yesterday, but I didn't think he looked great. He will get much better, but it seemed like volume got him his stats in that game, against an AWFUL defense.

[tampahog]

At least we start the season with a Tune up game..as opposed to playing an away game against a team ranked in top 5.   I think that bodes well for identifying players who are needing to fill the gaping huge holes left by Flowers & Spaight graduating.. (Philon I hope returns..he is going to be the glue holding the defense and will probably have the big letter "C" beside his name as Team Captain).

I tend to agree with this but can't help but wonder if it actually helped us this year opening with Auburn rather than a cupcake.  Reasons being 1) I think opening with a marquee opponent intensifies the focus over the summer and in fall camp in that you have to be on top of your game out of the gate and 2) The Auburn game was a wake up call for our defense.   AU easily moved the ball on us even with a backup QB in the first half.  Our defense was noticeably better for the remainder of the year after this game.

[HF#1]

I really don't think the defense falls back as much. We have talent redshirting and some guys will emerge that no one knows about.

Obviously keeping Philon would be huge but we've got some big mean guys waiting in the ranks. Jackson and Johnson are going to be solid. 

This is my thinking as well.  I do wonder who will take Spaight's spot though.  Ellis will be another year better. 

I really like the team we will have next season. 

[bigdaddyhawg]

I agree with you on Ole Miss and State taking a step back, but I think A&M will be about the same or a tad better. They have found a QB in Allen.

Maybe, but they are in for a serious tail kicking by the Hogs in D in 2015.

I predicted the same last year, and it surely should have been.  We were a better football team than A&M this year.

[Corkscrew Johnson]

Personally I care more about how good we will actually be (versus rankings) because the rankings will work out in the end.  I think looking ahead to next year, it's hard not to be fairly excited based on trajectory at the end of this year, new players being developed and coming up, and recruiting currently happening.  Almost every position should be as good or better:


QB - At worst, we get our current starter back with another year of experience.  We have even more depth and competition to make the whole group better.  Better overall.

RB - At worst, we get our current top 2 back with another year of experience.  Hopefully more depth will make the unit even better.  Better overall.

FB - Unsure about this one since we lose Arinze.  Do we have anyone else waiting in the wings?  Unknown.

OL - We lose one senior, but the line as a whole should get better due to experience and depth.  Better overall. 

TE - At least even (due to losing Derby), but most likely we'll be slightly better just due to overall depth.  Draw.

WR - Should be a little better with added experience, depth, and a talent infusion.  Better overall. 

DT - If Philon comes back, we'll be better due to experience and depth.  If not, it'll be about even probably.  Better overall. 

DE - Our top end capability will be down due to losing Flowers, but we may have better overall depth.  Draw. 

LB - This may be the only position on the team (outside of a specialist) that we take a step back in.  We just have to hope that CBB's recruits and superior coaching fill the gap.  Worse overall. 

CB - We lose one pretty good player in Mitchel, but otherwise increased depth and experience.  Better overall. 

S - What we lose in experience, we should make up for in talent.  Draw. 

K - Should be an upgrade. 

P - Losing Irwin-Hill will hurt.  Worse overall. 


So, by my count, we should be better or even in every position except LB and P.   

I agree with everything except your first comment.  Rankings are critical now that we have a playoff system that only lets in 4 teams, a guaranteed logjam of 1-2 loss teams, and voters who only drop teams in their rankings if they lose (thereby rewarding programs for weak schedules).  Getting in the  top 10 as quickly as possible is vital for a team who plays in the ridiculously brutal SEC West and is virtually guaranteed of losing 1-2 games.   

[Pig in the Pokey]

I'm guessing around 24

really? Why? No way we're lower than 15. I'm guessing 12.

[bigdaddyhawg]

We look to be doing ok at both of those positions going into next year. However, we do need to build some depth there.

Who do you have as starters if RG doesn't make it back?  Liddell and who?

[bigdaddyhawg]

I agree with everything except your first comment.  Rankings are critical now that we have a playoff system that only lets in 4 teams, a guaranteed logjam of 1-2 loss teams, and voters who only drop teams in their rankings if they lose (thereby rewarding programs for weak schedules).  Getting in the  top 10 as quickly as possible is vital for a team who plays in the ridiculously brutal SEC West and is virtually guaranteed of losing 1-2 games.   

Don't think this is the case these days.

It was mentioned time and time again that Baylor was downgraded for their very poor OOC schedule.

And IMO TCU was burned by Baylor's OOC downgrading too, since that was TCU's only loss.

IMO those days are gone forever.  I think we'll be seeing more and more tough OOC games for everyone that has any desire to be in a playoff.

[Pig Worshipper]

I think we start out around 20th.

Looking at the schedule, I believe we'll go about 9-3 with a chance to win 10 with a bowl game.

[ARtillahog]

really? Why? No way we're lower than 15. I'm guessing 12.

Well Athlon sports just gave their early Top 25 for 2015 and the Hogs were 23rd.  I think they start in then 20-25 range next year.  If they win the rankings will take care of themselves.

[SquidBilly]

I think Brian Wallace has been groomed to take over for Cook.

I think Kirkland gets moved to tackle with Wallace getting the start at guard.  Both Skipper and Kirkland played the first year at guard before Skipper moved out to left tackle and I think it helped them get used to the physical play and the speed of the game without the extra responsibilities that come with the tackle position.  Kirkland's natural position is tackle but Cook was good enough that it allowed the coaches to play Kirkland inside and get their five best linemen on the field together. 

[LJHOG]

Defensively I think we take a step backwards with the key losses we are losing off the defense, i just hope that offensively there's enough growth to compensate for the defense stepping back some.

Disagree. If Philon stays, I can see Detrich Wise taking over for Trey, Bijohn being a force and the young DB's playing better.
No reason we should see much of a fall off, if any, on D.

[The_Iceman]

Disagree. If Philon stays, I can see Detrich Wise taking over for Trey, Bijohn being a force and the young DB's playing better.
No reason we should see much of a fall off, if any, on D.

Finding that replacement for Spaight will be key.

[TMc]

I'm guessing around 24

[bigdaddyhawg]

Disagree. If Philon stays, I can see Detrich Wise taking over for Trey, Bijohn being a force and the young DB's playing better.
No reason we should see much of a fall off, if any, on D.

By all accounts, the JC DE Ledbetter is expected to fill Trey's shoes with little or no problems.

IMO the biggest problem our D will face, if Philon stays, will be replacing the leadership that our seniors gave this year's D.

[JayBell]

By all accounts, the JC DE Ledbetter is expected to fill Trey's shoes with little or no problems.

That's such a hyperbolic statement.  A junior college transfer is going to seamlessly replace one of the best defensive lineman to ever play at Arkansas?  That's not going to happen.

IMO the biggest problem our D will face, if Philon stays, will be replacing the leadership that our seniors gave this year's D.

You're really talking about two guys.  They were great, but when you're bringing back 80% of the two-deep, then someone will help feel the leadership void.  Turner racked up a ton of tackles the last two seasons, but that had as much to do with Arkansas' lack of quality linebackers as anything.

[HF#1]

You don't replace a guy as productive as Trey Flowers unless you are Alabama.  Someone will take that spot but a drop off should be expected. 

I'm of the opinion that our pass rush will be stronger up the middle than it will be off the edge.  However Robb Smith does a great job stunting and twisting his lineman to get pressure.